Red Bull Brings Air Show Back to U.S. After Year Hiatus, Attracts 85,000 Spectators

Red Bull kicked off its 2010 Flugtag tour on Saturday at Bayfront Park after a yearlong absence from the U.S. and a six-year hiatus from Miami. Flugtag, a German name for an air show, pits contestants from four cities against one another to create a working one-person flying machine.

Nearly 85,000 people stepped out in downtown Miami or launched their boats on Biscayne Bay to check out the aerodynamic machines. Red Bull pre-selected the day’s 35 competitors during a selection event held at Nikki Beach on April 20.

Beginning at noon, the contestants took turns piloting their inventions off a 30-foot flight deck. A panel of seven judges, including the Miami Heat's DJ Irie, scored each entry on the distance flown—before it ultimately landed in the bay—as well as creativity of the craft and showmanship.

To increase its presence in the city, Red Bull partnered with six local restaurants, including Mia at Biscyane and Burger and Beer Joint—as well as two in central Florida—to show a live stream of the event.

The day wrapped up with an award ceremony where Red Bull representatives named the Formula Flug team and its winged Formula One race car the winner for its 54-foot flight. The team won a chance to meet and visit with Red Bull Air Race World Champion Kirby Chambliss at his ranch in Arizona. The Flugtag tour continues in Minneapolis-St. Paul on July 24, Long Beach, California, on August 21, and Philadelphia on September 4.

The competition took place in the center of downtown Miami at Bayfront Park.

Photo: Christian Pondella/Red Bull Photofiles

All the flying machines took off from a 30-foot barge in Biscayne Bay.

Photo: Garth Milan/Red Bull Photofiles

The seven judges held up score cards following each flight.

Photo: Chris Tedesco/Red Bull Photofiles

Beer Connoisseur magazine designed its machine with a beer mug as the focal point.

Photo: Garth Milan/Red Bull Photofiles

The Save Salad, Toss Pizza team wore chefs hats in theme with their machine design.

Photo: Chris Tedesco/Red Bull Photofiles

In honor of Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and LeBron James signing with the Miami Heat, Team Heat showcased the player's names on their fireball-shaped flying machine.

Photo: Chris Tedesco/Red Bull Photofiles

Local rescue workers waited on nearby wave runners to pull the contestants to the dock following their flights.

Photo: Garth Milan/Red Bull Photofiles

Team Formula Flug, the ultimate winner, posed for photos with its flying machine before taking off.

Photo: Chris Tedesco/Red Bull Photo Files

First and second place winners Team Formula Flug and the Ibis Engineers from the University of Miami posed for photos with their trophies.

Photo: Garth Milan/Red Bull Photofiles

Nearly 85,000 people watched the event from the park and nearby boats.